One deputy CM of Manipur is seeking action against the other

Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho. File | Photo credit: ANI

Manipur Deputy Chief Minister Losii Dikho has urged the Center to take punitive action against fellow Deputy Chief Minister Nemcha Kipgen for “dealing” with the Kuki insurgent group allegedly involved in the killing of Naga civilians.

Mr Dikho and eight other Naga MLAs have also threatened to quit the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in Manipur if no action is taken against Ms Kipgen and the leaders of the Kuki-Zo extremist groups.

Five of these MLAs, including Mr Dikho, are from the Naga People’s Front (NPF), two are from the BJP, one from the National People’s Party and one is an independent.

They made their demand in a letter dated August 29 to Union Home Minister Amit Shah. “The letter was delivered today (Monday),” said Mr Dikho.

In the letter, the MLAs demanded the arrest of Kuki-Zo leaders who publicly claimed responsibility for the killing and dismemberment of six Naga civilians whose mutilated bodies were found on June 10, almost a month after they were abducted.

They also demanded the arrest of Thangboi Kipgen, the head of the extremist faction of the Kuki National Front (Presidential) and Mrs Kipgen’s husband.

“Initiate action against Deputy Chief Minister Nemche Kipgen because her office colludes with the Kuki militant group led by her husband Thangboi Kipgen…” the letter read.

The Naga MLAs further demanded the immediate cancellation of the ceasefire agreement signed by the Center with 25 Kuki-Zo insurgent groups in 2008, citing alleged repeated violations and acts of terrorism against civilians.

“As the mutilated bodies of six Naga men are still unclaimed protesting the non-arrest of the perpetrators, four more Naga men were mercilessly killed in an ambush on IT road by Kuki militants on August 27,” the MLAs wrote, referring to some other violent incidents.

They warned that unless action is taken, they will be “unable to defend or adequately respond to the challenges raised by the public regarding our continued support to the Government of Manipur”.

“This step is taken solely in the greater interest of the people of Manipur and out of absolute necessity,” they further wrote.

Manipur had 10 Naga MLAs. One of them, N. Kayisi from JE, died in January

Published – 01 Sep 2026 01:40 IST